United States Representatives have introduced bipartisan legislation in Congress — House Bill 6606,
The Respect States’ and Citizens’ Rights Act of 2012 — to amend the US
Controlled Substances Act to provide that federal law shall not preempt
state marijuana laws.

The measure is sponsored by Rep. Diana DeGette of Colorado, and is co-sponsored
by Reps. Blumenauer (OR), Coffman (CO), Cohen (TN), Farr (CA), Frank
(MA), Grijalva (AZ), Lee (CA), Paul (TX), and Polis (CO). It has been
referred to Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

“I am proud to join with colleagues from both sides of the aisle on
the ‘Respect States’ and Citizens’ Rights Act’ to protect states’ rights
and immediately resolve any conflict with the federal government,” said
Rep. DeGette in a prepared statement.
“In Colorado we’ve witnessed the aggressive policies of the federal
government in their treatment of legal medicinal marijuana providers. My
constituents have spoken and I don’t want the federal government
denying money to Colorado or taking other punitive steps that would
undermine the will of our citizens.”

Added
Rep. Polis, “The people of Colorado and Washington voted in
overwhelming numbers to regulate the sale of marijuana. Colorado
officials and law enforcement are already working to implement the will
of Colorado voters, and I look forward to continuing to work with my
colleagues in Congress and officials in the administration to deliver
clear guidance that ensures the will of the people is protected.”

House Bill 6606 states,
“In the case of any State law that pertains to marihuana, no provision
of this title shall be construed as indicating an intent on the part of
the Congress to occupy the field in which that provision operates,
including criminal penalties, to the exclusion of State law on the same
subject matter, nor shall any provision of this title be construed as
preempting any such State law.”

While it is unlikely that members of Congress will address this
measure in the final days of the 112th session, it is anticipated that
Representatives will reintroduce the measure in 2013.